14 minutes of madness leaves Shrimpers shattered

Last updated : 28 August 2011 By westfield shrimper

The bookies were right, as they usually are, they weren't offering fives on Southend for fun, even so after goalless first half a three-goal hammering was not anticipated by the 975 travelling faithful, around 30% of the gate!

However, a crazy quarter-hour after the break sealed the Shrimpers fate and their unbeaten start to the League Two season came to an end while the bottom tier's Red Devils proved again they are going to be tough to stop in their march to world domination, well, another promotion anyway.

Southend had their chances in the opening 45 minutes, Ryan Hall and Liam Dickinson going close, though the Sussex based side saw most of the ball with former United loanee Josh Simpson made the Red Devils skipper for the night.

The recalled Neil Harris shot wide after the break before just before the hour mark Crawley left-back Dean Howell's left-wing cross went over the head of Shrimpers keeper Glenn Morris to open the scoring, not the first time to the former Borient shot stopper this has happened but still a complete fluke.

Then as bad boy Bilel Moshni entered the fray the away side's hold on the fixture fell apart as three minutes later he fouled Tyrone Bennett in the box, penalty, Matt Tubbs steps up, 2-0.

Only a couple of minutes after that a Howell cross was met by Tubbs who headed home.

Madness!

And the game finished with Bilel nearly giving away another spot-kick, Luggy will not be pleased!

Luckily the team have a chance to redeem themselves quickly with Burton Albion the visitors to Roots Hall on Saturday to improve on their present ninth position.

Southend United player markings: Morris 5, Clohessy 5, Barker 6, Coughlan 6 (Mohsni 65), Prosser - 6, Hall 5 (Sawyer 82), Grant 6, Kalala 6, Ferdinand - 5 (Johnson 61 4), Harris 5, Dickinson 6.